Tablet interface

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated June 16, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Tablet interface

    The ServiceNow tablet interface allows users to access their instance via a native tablet app or a tablet browser. The native tablet app offers an experience similar to the mobile app, displaying favorited applications or modules as tiles on the homescreen. The tablet web UI closely mimics the desktop Core UI experience. The $tablet.do feature has been disabled because the tablet interface matches the desktop UI, enabling seamless use through a tablet browser.

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    Key Features

    • Access via native tablet app or browser: Provides flexibility in how users connect to their instance on tablets.
    • Favorites display: Applications or modules favorited on desktop appear as tiles on the tablet app homescreen for quick access.
    • Read-only access to graphical tools: Dependency Views map, schema map, graphical Workflow Editor, Gantt chart, and visual dispatch tool can be viewed but not modified on tablets.
    • Calendar access: Calendar reports are accessible, though scrolling functionality is limited compared to desktop.
    • Attachment uploads: Supports video and image attachments on iOS 9 and Android tablets; other file types are unsupported.

    Limitations and Unsupported Features

    • List editing: Field values cannot be edited directly from list views; record forms must be used for edits.
    • Field watcher and JavaScript debugger: These administrative tools require the desktop interface.
    • Language and domain selection: Tablet UI does not display the language picker or domain picker; changes must be made on desktop.
    • Slushbucket functionality: Not supported on tablets; only available on desktop.
    • Navigation filter suffixes (.list, .do, .form): Usable only in the desktop interface.
    • Support chat: Chat sessions cannot be initiated or responded to from tablets; available only on desktop.
    • Printer friendly view: Not available on tablet UI.
    • Timeline features: Timeline sliders and Timeline Metrics UI actions (e.g., workflow timeline, Gantt chart) are not supported on tablets.

    Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers

    ServiceNow customers using tablets can expect a user experience closely aligned with the desktop Core UI, enabling familiarity and ease of use. However, certain advanced features and administrative tools remain accessible only via the desktop interface. Users should plan to perform field edits, domain or language changes, and complex troubleshooting or debugging tasks on a desktop. For end users, video and image attachments are supported, but other file types and interactive timeline tools are not. Support chat capabilities are exclusive to the desktop, requiring users to switch devices for live support sessions.

    Use a tablet to access your instance either app or from a browser.

    Use the native tablet app for an experience similar to the native mobile app. Applications or modules that you have favorited in a desktop instance appear as tiles on your mobile app homescreen.

    The tablet web UI mimics the desktop experience in Core UI. $tablet.do has been disabled in Core UI because the tablet interface is the same as the desktop.

    Connect to an instance using the browser on your tablet for an experience similar to the standard desktop user interface.

    Tablet features with limited support

    • Editing lists: You cannot edit field values in a record from the list view. Access the record form to modify any field values.
    • Dependency Views map, schema map, graphical Workflow Editor, Gantt chart, and visual dispatch tool: Graphics-based tools can be viewed but not modified from the tablet interface. Data presented by these tools is read-only when accessed through the tablet interface.
    • Calendars: You can access calendar reports but scrolling around the calendar as you would on the desktop interface is not supported.
    • Video and image attachment upload: Attach videos and images with both iOS 9 and Android. Other file type attachments are not allowed.

    Unsupported tablet features

    • Field watcher: Administrators must use the desktop version to access the Field Watcher.
    • JavaScript debugger: Administrators must use the desktop version to access the JavaScript debug window.
    • Language picker: Even if the internationalization plugin is enabled, the language picker does not appear in the tablet UI toolbar. Language selected through the desktop interface applies to the tablet UI.
    • Domain picker: Tablet users cannot select any other domains that administrators configure for domain-specific personalizations. To select a new domain, use the desktop interface.
    • Slushbucket feature: Any lists, fields, or filters that use the slushbucket feature are unsupported on a tablet device. Slushbuckets are only supported in the desktop interface.
    • Suffix in the navigation filter: You can use the .list, .do, or .form shortcuts to access a list of records in a table or a new form from the desktop version only.
    • Support chat: End users cannot request a chat session nor can support technicians respond to chat requests when using the tablet interface. Help desk chat is only supported in the desktop interface.
    • Printer friendly view: This view, which shows the current screen in a pop-up window without frames and the application navigator, is not available from the tablet.
    • Timeline sliders and the Timeline Metrics UI actions: Features that use timelines, such as the workflow timeline and the Gantt chart are not supported from the tablet.